Please join us in welcoming guest artist Lynne Moncrieff to Somerset Place! Today, she’s sharing a peek inside her handmade journal process to spark some new inspiration, including a quick video to give you a closer look!

Eco dying/tea staining, naturally has me leaning towards creating nature-themed projects with the stained items. It is such a satisfactory process, especially when utilizing found/re-cycled papers; although other favorites to dye/stain include rice paper, unperforated teabag paper, and large, self-fill teabags.

The dyed/stained items can be incorporated into a wealth of projects — a particular favorite of mine is books/booklets. The book I created for this post is simply constructed from an A3 sheet of handmade, sugar cane paper which was dyed/stained. A very humble structure which, with the addition of flaps and folds to tuck mini booklets inside or stitched paper pockets where a tag can nestle, makes a simply constructed book into an art adventure, with an abundance of areas ripe for journaled thoughts or possibly sketches relating to nature.

Deeply inspired by nature with my Lynne’s Wildflowers stamps, alongside stamped Affirmations influenced by my thoughts on nature, this is a book to slip into its pouch, with a favorite pencil or charcoal stick. As musings are jotted into the book, enjoy some quiet time and let nature be your calming breath.

Process:

Brew several teabags in an old cooking pot, and add corrugated cardboard, packing paper, kraft envelope, old book pages, self-fill teabags, muslin, and sari silk ribbion. Do not include unperforated teabag paper. Remove items, collecting them into bundles, and clip some items with rusted book binder clips or rusty tin wire. The rusted items and vinegar will create variation. Leave outdoors for several days, exposed to the elements, before bringing indoors to dry.

Fold A3 handmade paper in half horizontally before creating four vertical folds. Misting paper with water and using Bone Folder will aid in creating crisp edges/folds.

Stamp selection of Lynne’s Wildflowers and Lynne’s Affirmations onto variety of papers. Utilize fragments of papers by only partially stamping an Affirmation.

Organize stacks of mini booklets by layering various papers stamping them with Wildflower or Affirmations, or tuck a bundle of stained, self-fill teabags inside a piece of folded cardboard paper. Create several variations. (Tip: attach mini clips to bundles as you prepare them for machine stitching.)

Begin machine-stitching, adding interest by stitching book pages to edges, and layer with stamped Affirmation.

As you progress, create variations for each page. Machine-stitch folded book page to create pocket for tag.

Stitch one end of dyed sari silk ribbon beneath flap at front of book, this will wrap around book to bind closed.

Once dry, fold paper into simple pouch, machine stitching left and right sides. Machine-stitch muslin with Affirmation stamped onto rice paper, to flap.

Lynne Moncrieff lives in Scotland, creating stamped art and beyond for several stamp/craft companies, amongst them, That’s Crafty! She relishes this creative life, including designing stamps for That’s Crafty! Lynne’s stamps are available directly fromthatscrafty.co.uk(contact directly for any shipping queries).Follow That’s Crafty! on Instagram at (@thatscraftyuk) and on Facebook at (@That’s Crafty). Lynne welcomes visitors to her blog, Adorn atlynnesbowandbelles.wordpress.com. Follow her on Facebook (@lynn.moncrieff) and on Instagram (@stampingandbeyond).

This is a stunning project. From how Lynne selected the papers, to the dyeing processes she used on them that enhanced their natural beauty down to her affirmations stamp sets which are the perfect touch that convey the whole meaning of the project and in each piece. Stunning !

Lynne has long inspired me with her beautiful work. I would love to own a set of her affirmation stamps and create with them in my own work. Wonderful tutorial and inspirational. I will be using Lynne’s tips on staining some tea bags and stamping to keep on hand for journals.Thank you for sharing!

These journals are the best inspiration to express one’s true thoughts. They encourage a person to create something from the heart. They are beautiful like fine artwork. I would love to receive the stamp sets and stencils to create a memorable journal. Thank you for the opportunity to enter the contest.

Hello Shelby,
I see your having trouble entering the giveaway. Can I ask what you are seeing when you are looking at the giveaway? There should be: 1. Answer Correctly to Qualify. And after answering this question it should prompt you to put in your email.

Your work is so amazing. I love the organic look to everything. I am a believer that art should be using one’s own uniqueness. You display this well in your inventive ways with the use of natural and recycled items and true creativity not the boring digital kit, paste down someone else’s artwork, that anyone can create.lol. This is true art.

Absolutely beautiful soulful work once again by Lynne. I adore the affirmation stamps and I love how she incorporated them into this journal along with her clever and unique dying process. Thank you for the opportunity to win this wonderful giveaway!

Serenitea on every page! I would love to win Lynne’s offering~ I made a garland out of tea bags once and these floral stamps would add so, much beauty to any endeavor!! Thank you, for the chance~ Congrats, Lynne-your art is gorgeous!!

Kim, you are so generous with your words, thank you so very much. Although our styles are so different, I have been drawn to your art, seeing the heart within it, the passion which is inspiring.
Thank you so much for entering the Giveaway.
Wishes
Lynne

Please join us in welcoming guest artist Lynne Moncrieff to Somerset Place! Today, she’s sharing a peek inside her handmade journal process to spark some new inspiration, including a quick video to give you a closer look!

Eco dying/tea staining, naturally has me leaning towards creating nature-themed projects with the stained items. It is such a satisfactory process, especially when utilizing found/re-cycled papers; although other favorites to dye/stain include rice paper, unperforated teabag paper, and large, self-fill teabags.

The dyed/stained items can be incorporated into a wealth of projects — a particular favorite of mine is books/booklets. The book I created for this post is simply constructed from an A3 sheet of handmade, sugar cane paper which was dyed/stained. A very humble structure which, with the addition of flaps and folds to tuck mini booklets inside or stitched paper pockets where a tag can nestle, makes a simply constructed book into an art adventure, with an abundance of areas ripe for journaled thoughts or possibly sketches relating to nature.

Deeply inspired by nature with my Lynne’s Wildflowers stamps, alongside stamped Affirmations influenced by my thoughts on nature, this is a book to slip into its pouch, with a favorite pencil or charcoal stick. As musings are jotted into the book, enjoy some quiet time and let nature be your calming breath.

Process:

Brew several teabags in an old cooking pot, and add corrugated cardboard, packing paper, kraft envelope, old book pages, self-fill teabags, muslin, and sari silk ribbion. Do not include unperforated teabag paper. Remove items, collecting them into bundles, and clip some items with rusted book binder clips or rusty tin wire. The rusted items and vinegar will create variation. Leave outdoors for several days, exposed to the elements, before bringing indoors to dry.

Fold A3 handmade paper in half horizontally before creating four vertical folds. Misting paper with water and using Bone Folder will aid in creating crisp edges/folds.

Stamp selection of Lynne’s Wildflowers and Lynne’s Affirmations onto variety of papers. Utilize fragments of papers by only partially stamping an Affirmation.

Organize stacks of mini booklets by layering various papers stamping them with Wildflower or Affirmations, or tuck a bundle of stained, self-fill teabags inside a piece of folded cardboard paper. Create several variations. (Tip: attach mini clips to bundles as you prepare them for machine stitching.)

Begin machine-stitching, adding interest by stitching book pages to edges, and layer with stamped Affirmation.

As you progress, create variations for each page. Machine-stitch folded book page to create pocket for tag.

Stitch one end of dyed sari silk ribbon beneath flap at front of book, this will wrap around book to bind closed.

Once dry, fold paper into simple pouch, machine stitching left and right sides. Machine-stitch muslin with Affirmation stamped onto rice paper, to flap.

Lynne Moncrieff lives in Scotland, creating stamped art and beyond for several stamp/craft companies, amongst them, That’s Crafty! She relishes this creative life, including designing stamps for That’s Crafty! Lynne’s stamps are available directly fromthatscrafty.co.uk(contact directly for any shipping queries).Follow That’s Crafty! on Instagram at (@thatscraftyuk) and on Facebook at (@That’s Crafty). Lynne welcomes visitors to her blog, Adorn atlynnesbowandbelles.wordpress.com. Follow her on Facebook (@lynn.moncrieff) and on Instagram (@stampingandbeyond).